Well, well… I guess the forecast was accurate after all! If only Wednesday were Friday and vice versa. We are getting pounded with 5 to 6 inches of heavy snow, resulting in 5 to 15 inches of soft snow covering the ice. The landings are rut-filled, but with enough clearance and decent tires, they are easy to navigate. 24°F at sunrise Saturday morning, the snow will harden, leaving a gauntlet of firm slush ruts. High traffic volumes over the weekend, combined with Saturday’s warming, will be necessary for any chance of keep these landing lumps to a minimum.
The ice beneath the water at the Kipling landing is pretty thick, but I can’t help but think it might be a bit soft after this extended period of above-freezing temperatures. That’s going to change throughout tomorrow, and by Sunday, the Bay and its landings will be rock-hard again. Between setting up a wagon for guests’ afternoon arrival and leading several parties out in their trucks to the reefs, I’ve inspected and driven a fully insured Suburban with towing and recovery, traversing some of the worst-looking areas near both the Red Gate and the Kipling launch. I put the Kip to the test, and it seemed to have the most traffic. I understand why some could encounter problems, but with competent ice navigation skills, it’s just another day on the Bay. So, avoid stopping in the middle of deep shack scabs. Once around the corner of the Kipling launch, it’s more of the same—minus the water; just heavy, wet snow.
It’s Friday night after a beautifully wet, sloppy day, and I’m pleased to pass along some critical information about the Bay that everyone has been waiting for, especially since the cold snap a month ago that severely affected the feeding. I’m happy to share that the bite is on. Say what? Yep, it’s hammer time! There’s a really solid showing of walleyes being caught: shorts, eaters, and of course, some legendary Little Bay de Noc hogs. The last couple of days have been better than any time over the last month. Hope it lasts or ya missed it.
Increasing your odds,
-Blade